6-Directional Icosidodecahedron Rotational Puzzle

ABSTRACT

Games and toys that include systems, devices, apparatus and methods for physically and mechanically organizing a plurality of separate pentagon face pieces in combination with a plurality of separate triangular face pieces to form icosidodecahedron with one of several predetermined patterns. The games and toys can include a 2-color and 4-color setups of using 12 pentagon face pieces with 20 triangular face pieces, each of the pieces can include magnets on their bottom which magnetically attract to central metal bearing forming an overall sphere shape. Sections of the assembled icosidodecahedron can be rotated along up to six equators by the player into different predetermined patterns that exist from the two color and four-color setups.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to games and toys, and in particular to systems, devices, apparatus and methods for physically organizing a plurality of pentagon face pieces in combination with a plurality of triangular face pieces that form an icosidodecahedron in a two-color puzzle setup or a four-color setup to form one of several predetermined patterns, wherein each of the pieces include magnets on their bottom ends which magnetically attract to a central metal bearing forming an overall generally spherical shape.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

Three-dimensional twisting and sliding type puzzles are known in the prior art, the most famous being Rubik's Cube®. Rubik's Cube® generally consists of a cube with six sides, each side being divided into nine pieces which may be moved in a sliding fashion by rotation around the 3-axes in such a way that different colors may be aligned on each face of the cube. An internal pivot mechanism enables each face to turn independently, thus mixing up the colors. For the puzzle to be solved, each face must be returned to have only one color. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,116 to Rubik, which is incorporated by reference in its' entirety.

Other versions of cubic puzzles have been done over the years. See for example: U.S. Pat. No. 3,690,672 to Dreyer; U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,197 to Doose; U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,377 to Ashley; U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,431 to Possidento.

Other three-dimensional puzzle type games have included other geometrical shapes, such as a polyhedron shape (U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,715 to Meffert) and dodecahedron shape (U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,750 to Abu-Shumays et al.)

Spherical three-dimensional puzzles have also been proposed over the years. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,323 to Heusinkveid; U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,872 to Urrestarazu Borda; U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,895 to Ray; U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,278 to Harris; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,571 to Chen.

Three-dimensional cubicle and spherical puzzles held together by a central magnet have been done over the years. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,872 to Hall and U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,740 to Hall.

These types of puzzles share a characteristic that all of its components should be moved from the disordered positions to the designated positions or to form predetermined patterns. Another characteristic common to this group of puzzles is that all movements are constrained and that every movement must involve more than one component.

Most prior art puzzles in this category have only one goal and one level of difficulty. Once the player learns to solve Rubik's Cube, there is no additional logic that must be learned. Many of the alternative solution settings of the present invention require new skills and discovering new algorithms.

Thus, the need exists for more challenges to puzzle-lovers and solutions to the above problems with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a system for playing a multi-directional, icosidodecahedron mechanical rotational puzzle game using 12 pentagon face pieces with 20 triangular face pieces where a half of the total number of pieces are rotated together around one of 6 axes along six cross-section directions until they form one of several predetermined patterns.

A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide systems, devices, and methods for providing and physically playing a multi-directional, icosidodecahedron rotational puzzle game using 12 pentagon face pieces with 20 triangular face pieces, each of the pieces having magnets on their bottom which magnetically attract to a central ferromagnetic metal bearing forming an overall sphere shape.

A third objective of the present invention is to provide systems, devices, and methods for providing and physically organize 12 pentagon face pieces with 20 triangular face pieces that form an icosidodecahedron in a two-color puzzle setup to form one of several predetermined patterns.

A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide systems, devices, and methods for providing and physically organize 12 pentagon face pieces with 20 triangular face pieces that form an icosidodecahedron in a four-color puzzle setup to form one of several predetermined patterns.

A goal of the mechanical puzzle is to organize the different pieces to form faces of an icosidodecahedron and create one of several predetermined patterns. Those patterns could be made of two, or more distinct colors or shades. The geometry of the puzzle is always based on icosidodecahedron and may be made of flat faces, concaved faces as well as faces that are rounded to give the puzzle the shape of a sphere. An orthographic projection of an icosidodecahedron onto a sphere is shown in FIG. 2.

The mechanics of the puzzle is accomplished by means of counter-rotation of pentagonal rotundas around the 6 axes that go through the center of two pentagons on the opposite ends of the icosidodecahedron.

Each rotation involves 16 adjacent pieces—6 pentagons and 10 triangles.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective of the assembled icosidodecahedron puzzle in a generally spherical shape.

FIG. 2 is another front view of an orthographic spherical projection of an assembled icosidodecahedron puzzle of FIG. 1 having a smooth outer surface. The Spherical projection of icosidodecahedron is used in remaining figures, but the implementation of the puzzle is not limited to the spherical shape, but instead it may be any geometric derivative of icosidodecahedron.

FIG. 3A is a lower front perspective view of one of the 20 triangular face pieces used in the assembled icosidodecahedron puzzle of FIG. 1

FIG. 3B is an upper side perspective view of the triangular face piece of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a lower side perspective view of the triangular face piece of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3D is a side perspective view of the triangular face piece of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3E is another side perspective view of the triangular face piece of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3F is a bottom perspective view of the triangular face piece of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3G is a top perspective view of the triangular face piece of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a bottom side perspective view of one of the pentagon face pieces used in the assembled icosidodecahedron puzzle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is a top side perspective view of the pentagon face piece of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is another top side perspective view of the pentagon face piece of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4D is a bottom side perspective view of the pentagon face piece of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4E is a side perspective view of the pentagon face piece showing two sides of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4F is another side perspective view of the pentagon face piece showing three sides of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4G is a top perspective view of the pentagon face piece of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4H is a bottom perspective view of the pentagon face piece of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the triangular face pieces of FIGS. 3A-3G and one of the pentagon face pieces of FIGS. 4A-4B magnetically held in place on the central metal spherical center of the assembled icosidodecahedron puzzle shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 5B shows an alternative method can be used for puzzle piece 4; instead of ferromagnetic inserts, magnets can be used.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of two half sections of the assembled icosidodecahedron puzzle of FIG. 1 spaced apart from the central metal spherical center.

FIG. 7A is a side perspective view representing rotating a top half of the assembled icosidodecahedron puzzle in an opposite direction to rotating the bottom half of assembled icosidodecahedron puzzle around axis 1.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the rotations along the equatorial cross section perpendicular to axis 1.

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the rotations along the equatorial cross section perpendicular to axis 2.

FIG. 7D is a perspective view of the rotations along the equatorial cross section perpendicular to axis 3.

FIG. 7E is a perspective view of the rotations along the equatorial cross section perpendicular to axis 4.

FIG. 7F is a perspective view of the rotations along the equatorial cross section perpendicular to axis 5.

FIG. 7G is a perspective view of the rotations along the equatorial cross section perpendicular to axis 6.

FIG. 8A shows a sphere position reference for solved setting tables using the two-color table of triangular face pieces and pentagon face pieces.

FIG. 8B is a side view of the icosidodecahedron puzzle with positions and corresponding two cell color for a basic half & half pattern.

FIG. 8C is a side view of the icosidodecahedron puzzle with positions and corresponding two cell color for a basic Zig Zag pattern.

FIG. 8D is a side view and top view of the icosidodecahedron puzzle with positions and corresponding two cell color for a Half & Half with Stars pattern.

FIG. 8E is a side view and top view of the icosidodecahedron puzzle with positions and corresponding two cell color for a Zig Zag with Stars pattern.

FIG. 8F is a side view and top view of the icosidodecahedron puzzle with positions and corresponding two cell color for a Zig Zag with Hollow Stars pattern.

FIG. 8G is a side view and top view of the icosidodecahedron puzzle with positions and corresponding two cell color for a Half & Half with Hollow Stars pattern.

FIG. 8H is a side view and top view of the icosidodecahedron puzzle with positions and corresponding two cell color for a Zig Zag with Islands pattern.

FIG. 8I is a side view of the icosidodecahedron puzzle with positions and corresponding two cell color for a Half & Half with Islands pattern.

FIG. 9A shows a sphere position reference for solved setting tables using the four-color table of triangular face pieces and pentagon face pieces.

FIG. 9B is a side view and top view of the icosidodecahedron puzzle with positions and corresponding four cell colors for a Half & Half with Stars pattern.

FIG. 9C is a side view and top view of the icosidodecahedron puzzle with positions and corresponding four cell colors for Zig Zag with Stars pattern.

FIG. 9D is a side view and top view of the icosidodecahedron puzzle with positions and corresponding four cell colors for a Half & Half with Reversed Stars pattern.

FIG. 9E is a side view and top view of the icosidodecahedron puzzle with positions and corresponding four cell colors for a Zig Zag with Reversed Stars pattern.

FIG. 9F is a side view and top view of the icosidodecahedron puzzle with positions and corresponding four cell colors for a Harlequin with Islands pattern.

FIG. 9G is a side view and top view of the icosidodecahedron puzzle with positions and corresponding four cell colors for a Reversed Harlequin with Islands pattern.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

The subject inventor tested an online computer game as an experiment in WebFL format between approximately July and November 2020 on a website at Rotosphere.org and a website at speedsolving.com, along with postings on facebook and youtube.

The experiment was limited to forming triangular faces and pentagon faces for an assembled icosidodecahedron puzzle.

No version of any mechanically moveable puzzle pieces, especially with magnets was demonstrated, shared, nor discussed in any of these forums.

In the Summary above and in the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification does not include all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

In this section, some embodiments of the invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.

Other technical advantages may become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after review of the following figures and description.

It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.

Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

The following terms used herein are defined.

“Icosidodecahedron” is used herein to describe a geometrical shape which is a polyhedron with twenty (icosi) triangular faces and twelve (dodeca) pentagonal faces. An icosidodecahedron has 30 identical vertices, with two triangles and two pentagons meeting at each, and 60 identical edges, each separating a triangle from a pentagon.

A “pentagonal rotunda” represents one half of the spherical shaped icosidodecahedron that is counter-rotated as one unit consisting of 16 adjacent pieces that include 6 pentagons and 10 triangles,

A “tile” is used herein to refer to a puzzle piece that can be moved or manipulated to solve the puzzle herein.

A list of components will now be described.

-   1—Assembled icosidodecahedron puzzle -   2—Assembled icosidodecahedron puzzle with smooth spherical face -   3—Triangular puzzle piece -   4—Pentagonal puzzle piece -   30 Top outer face of the Triangular puzzle piece. -   31 a-Top positioning magnet on side one of triangular puzzle piece -   31 b-Top positioning magnet on side two of triangular puzzle piece -   31 c-Top positioning magnet on side three of triangular puzzle piece -   31 a(+)—Top positioning magnet on side one of triangular puzzle     piece with magnetic polarity orientation opposite to polarity of     pentagonal top positioning magnets -   31 b(+)—Top positioning magnet on side two of triangular puzzle     piece with magnetic polarity orientation opposite to polarity of     pentagonal top positioning magnets -   31 c(+)—Top positioning magnet on side three of triangular puzzle     piece with magnetic polarity orientation opposite to polarity of     pentagonal top positioning magnets -   33—Interlocking protrusion on triangular puzzle piece -   35—Interlocking Grooves on triangular puzzle piece -   37—Bottom holding magnet of triangular puzzle piece -   40—Top outer face of pentagonal puzzle piece -   41 a-Top positioning ferromagnetic insert on side one of pentagonal     puzzle piece -   41 b-Top positioning ferromagnetic insert on side two of pentagonal     puzzle piece -   41 c-Top positioning ferromagnetic insert on side three of     pentagonal puzzle piece -   41 d-Top positioning ferromagnetic insert on side four of pentagonal     puzzle piece -   41 e-Top positioning ferromagnetic insert on side five of pentagonal     puzzle piece -   41 a(−)—Top positioning magnet on side one of pentagonal puzzle     piece with magnetic polarity orientation opposite to polarity of     triangular top positioning magnets -   41 b(−)—Top positioning magnet on side two of pentagonal puzzle     piece with magnetic polarity orientation opposite to polarity of     triangular top positioning magnets -   41 c(−)—Top positioning magnet on side three of pentagonal puzzle     piece with magnetic polarity orientation opposite to polarity of     triangular top positioning magnets -   41 d(−)—Top positioning magnet on side four of pentagonal puzzle     piece with magnetic polarity orientation opposite to polarity of     triangular top positioning magnets -   41 e(−)—Top positioning magnet on side five of pentagonal puzzle     piece with magnetic polarity orientation opposite to polarity of     triangular top positioning magnets -   43—Interlocking grooves on pentagonal puzzle piece -   45—Bottom holding magnet of pentagonal puzzle piece -   47—Bottom surface of pentagonal puzzle piece -   50—Ferromagnetic spherical center of icosidodecahedron puzzle

Because of the different geometry the invention presents a completely new set of challenges over the prior art. As such, it is a next step puzzle for people who enjoy these types of games but have learned everything there is to know about the prior art games.

The invention has many different levels of difficulty depending on which end setting goal the player is attempting to achieve. Most prior art puzzles in this category have only one goal and one level of difficulty. Once the player learns to solve Rubik's Cube®, there is no additional logic that must be learned. Many of the alternative solution settings of the invention require new skills and discovering new algorithms.

When a new player is trying for the first time to solve the subject invention puzzle without any additional instructions, the player can easily disassemble the puzzle and assemble it back into predefined pattern or solved position from which it is possible to learn and develop strategies by repeating and remembering different sets of steps.

By discovering repercussions of such sets of steps (algorithms) it is possible to modify them to achieve specific tile or face location goals. The easy assembly or disassembly of the puzzle sets it apart from other prior art, which once they are in the disorganized state, the only way to get it back to organized state is to solve the puzzle. The easy disassembly provides a better path to learning and discovering algorithms that help with strategies.

Because the subject invention puzzle pieces rotate around 6 different axes, the game is less rigid, more creative and gives the player more choices in achieving goals than the prior art games in this category.

One of the specific features of icosidodecahedron geometry is that it can be achieved by overlapping six equally angled equatorial cross sections in such a way that they divide a sphere into equally sized 12 pentagons and 20 triangles as shown in FIGS. 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7H and 7G. This puzzle utilizes equatorial cross sections of icosidodecahedron as its means of providing boundaries for moving tiles from one location to another.

By having six axes of rotation vs. puzzles based on 3 axes, this invention presents additional challenges as well as opportunities. The six axes of rotation are formed by rotating the sphere along six different equators.

The first challenge for the player is to overcome the confusion caused by the additional directions that user may not be accustomed to.

Once the player becomes familiar with the puzzle mechanics, the additional directions present opportunities to move puzzle pieces to desired positions with fewer rotations that would be the case with 3 rotational axes.

Another opportunity of six different equatorial counter rotations is the possibility of using different paths to achieve the same results. The flexibility of six directions makes it possible for the user to be more creative while solving the puzzle and the procedures to achieve desired results are less rigid than it is the case with the prior art puzzles.

Unlike Rubik's Cube® and derivative puzzles where there are a number of pieces that never change their relation to each other (middle pieces on each face of the cube always stay on the same face of the cube), all of the invention puzzle pieces are affected by the rotations and none of them has a fixed position in relation to any other that cannot be changed.

Each rotation of the invention puzzle pieces causes a change in position of half of the puzzle pieces vs. Rubik's Cube® where each rotation affects only one third of the puzzle pieces.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the assembled invention puzzle has a ball shape that is approximately 2 inches to approximately 3 and a half inches in diameter; the ball shape is more comfortable to hold in hands than an angular cube based three-dimensional puzzle and because of this it provides a better esthetic experience.

Puzzle pieces such as 3 of FIGS. 3A-3G and puzzle piece 4 of FIGS. 4A-4H are made of injection molded plastic or other suitable puzzle construction materials to form rigid pieces in a desirable shape. The face of each puzzle piece 3, 4, can be textured, rough, smooth, convex, or concave to provide different aesthetic handling experiences for the player.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3G, puzzle piece 3 is in the shape of an equilateral triangle with blunted or rounded edges on the face 30. Rounded edges of the pieces are helpful in reducing collisions occurring during and after miss-aligned rotations.

The top portion of piece 3 is embedded with three positioning magnets 31 a, 31 b, 31 c, one on each side of the triangular shaped piece.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the triangular face pieces of FIGS. 3A-3G and one of the pentagon face pieces of FIGS. 4A-4B magnetically held in place on the central metal spherical center of the assembled icosidodecahedron puzzle shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 5B shows an alternative method can be used for puzzle piece 4; instead of ferromagnetic inserts, magnets can be used.

When positioning magnets are used on pentagonal pieces as an alternative to ferromagnetic inserts (FIG. 5B), it is important that the polarity of the outer side of the magnets 31 a(+), 31 b(+), 31 c(+) are opposite the outer side of magnets used on pentagonal pieces.

Just below the section with the positioning magnets is an interlocking groove 35 that contains an interlocking protrusion 33 that interlocks and aligns puzzle piece 3 with puzzle piece 4. The grooves above and below the protrusions of the puzzle piece 3 provide channels through which the protrusions of the pair of pieces 3 can pass each other during the rotations while preventing them from being dislodged. In the bottom portion of puzzle piece 3 is a bottom holding magnet 37 that is attracted to and is removably attached to a ferromagnetic spherical center during the assembly and mechanical operation of the puzzle pieces 3 and 4. There are twenty triangular shaped pieces required to form the icosidodecahedron puzzle of the present invention.

Puzzle piece 4 has an equilateral pentagon shape with blunted or rounded edges on the face 40 as shown in FIG. 4B. The top portion of piece 4 is embedded with five ferromagnetic inserts 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d, 41 e, one of each side of the pentagonal piece. These ferromagnetic inserts attract and secure the top section of the three positioning magnets 31 a, 31 b, 31 c of puzzle piece 3.

For a stronger magnetic attraction (FIG. 5B) an alternative method can be used for puzzle piece 4; instead of ferromagnetic inserts, magnets can be used. Those magnets 41 a(−), 41 b(−), 41 c(−), 41 d(−), 41 e(−) should have opposite outer magnetic polarity to magnets used on triangular pieces (+), 31 b(+), 31 c(+).

Just below the top portion of puzzle piece 4 is an interlocking groove 43 (shown in FIGS. 4A-4F) that receives and engages the interlocking protrusion 33 of puzzle piece 3. A holding magnet 45 is inserted in the bottom 47 of puzzle piece 4 to removably attach puzzle piece 4 to a ferromagnetic spherical center during the assembly and mechanical operation of adjacent puzzle pieces 3 and 4. There are twelve pentagonal shaped pieces required to form the icosidodecahedron puzzle of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows the puzzle magnetic set up detail for pieces 3 and 4. Position locking magnets 31 a and 31 b of puzzle piece 3 are aligned to engage with the ferromagnetic inserts 41 a, 41 b, 41 c. In FIG. 5, locking magnet 31 a of puzzle piece 3 is attracted to ferromagnetic insert 41 a of puzzle piece 4. This causes the further alignment of interlocking protrusion 33 of puzzle piece 3 with interlocking groove 43 of puzzle piece 4. The bottom holding magnets 37 and 45 of puzzle piece 3 and 4, respectively rest securely and are held in place on the ferromagnetic spherical center 50.

FIG. 6 shows two half spheres of the icosidodecahedron puzzle and the arrangement of puzzle pieces 3 and 4 wherein the triangular puzzle piece 3 is adjacent to pentagonal puzzle piece 4 on all sides of the pentagon.

FIG. 7A shows the counter-rotation of the half spheres also known as the pentagonal rotunda bout axis 1 which is vertical and axis 2 which is diagonal.

FIGS. 7B-7G show the rotation axes and cross section directions of the half spheres that allow pieces to be moved around. All axes and rotation directions are shown using the same perspective view.

FIG. 8A is instructional for a user to determine how to move the pentagonal pieces as indicated by A, C, F, and H and movement of triangular pieces as shown by puzzle pieces B, D, E and G. This instructional reference applies to both two-color and four-color puzzle designs.

FIGS. 8B through 8H provide non-limiting examples and illustrations of two-color predetermined icosidodecahedron puzzle designs including, but not limited to, Basic Half and Half, Basic Zig Zag, Half and Half with Stars, Zig Zag with Stars, Zig Zag with Hollow Stars, Half and Half with Hollow Stars, and Zig Zag with Islands. When playing with others, a player would be challenged be the first to produce the predetermined design patterns shown. When playing alone, a player could see how fast a predetermined design pattern can be produced.

FIGS. 9B-9G provide non-limiting examples and illustrations of four-color predetermined icosidodecahedron puzzle design patterns including, but not limited to Half and Half Stars, Zig Zag with Stars, Half and Half with Reversed Stars, Zig Zag with Reversed Stars, Harlequin with Islands, Reversed Harlequin with Islands.

The basic instructions for the novel puzzle will be described below as to the objectives and movements of the puzzle pieces.

Objectives:

-   -   The invention puzzle goal is to mechanically move all the tiles         or puzzle pieces to one of the predetermined configurations of         pentagons and triangles that together make the sphere. Different         puzzle goals require different strategies and as such they         represent varying levels of difficulties.         -   Moving the tiles or puzzle pieces is by rotating sections of             the puzzle pieces along different equators of the assembled             icosidodecahedron puzzle         -   The first level of difficulty is the “Half and Half”             arrangement of the sphere made with tiles in two colors.             This is the basic solution that a player needs to master             before the player is ready for more complex goals. This half             & half setting only requires moving each color tile to             separate sides of the puzzle—This basic level does not             require the player to make any additional positioning within             each half of the sphere.         -   The 4 color tile settings will require the player to master             the basic 2 color half and half setting. The additional 2             colors are helpful in tracking the effects of movements and             sets of movements within each hemisphere. They provide not             only new goals to achieve, but also a visual feedback             without which it would be much harder to understand             repercussions of the rotations. The basic 4 color solution             is a sphere divided in half with 2 stars on opposite sides.             Four color versions of the puzzles are possibly easier to             solve than the more complex two-color versions that require             a precise location of each piece on the sphere. A suggested             learning path is to master the half and half two-color             version and only then try the four-color two star settings.             Once both levels are mastered the player is ready for the             additional puzzle goals and difficulty levels.         -   There are more possible goal pattern configurations than are             described above and it should not be assumed that this list             exhausts all possible pattern configurations. In addition,             players may decide to set their own additional goals and             challenges.

Movements:

-   -   The movement is accomplished by mechanically rotating half of         the sphere (with 6 pentagonal and 10 triangular pieces) along         one of the middle dividing lines around one of the 6 axes. The         rotational axes go through in the middle of each of two         pentagons on opposite sides and the center of the sphere.         -   When finishing rotations, player must pay attention to make             sure that all triangles always end up next to pentagons. If             the tiles are misaligned when the rotation is finished, next             move could be blocked. If this happens, the player will need             to make sure all tiles are aligned properly. When forcing a             blocked rotation, the puzzle pieces could accidently come             off. If this happens the pieces easily snap back into             position.

Assembly/Disassembly:

-   -   Unlike many similar puzzles, the invention puzzle can be easily         disassembled and put together in any predetermined setting. This         is a great feature when learning the puzzle since it allows the         player to make mistakes, reassemble the puzzle and try again.         This also allows a player to go between the two and the         four-color versions of the puzzle.     -   To remove pieces, first part the gap between two pieces and take         out one of the pieces; once there is an opening, other pieces         are easily removed. Since the pieces are attached with magnets,         they snap right back into position by creating a noise effect         when the puzzle pieces are magnetically attached to one another.

Table 1 shows the number triangular face pieces and number of pentagon face pieces for the icosidodecahedron puzzle if two colors are used.

TABLE 1 2 color puzzle setup Triangle Pentagon Pieces Pieces color 1 10 6 color 2 10 6 total pieces 20 12

TABLE 2 4 color puzzle setup Triangle Pentagon Pieces Pieces color 1 5 5 color 2 5 5 color 3 5 1 color 4 5 1 total pieces 20 12

Table 2 shows the number triangular face pieces and number of pentagon face pieces for the icosidodecahedron puzzle if four colors are used.

Referring to TABLES 1 and 2, colors can include but are not limited to any combination of red, yellow, blue, orange, green, black, white, as well as different variations of the colors thereof.

Additionally, different patterns, letters, or numbers can be used in place of the colors and/or in different combinations with the colors.

A mechanically moveable prototype was constructed in 2020 using puzzle pieces with the colors of red, yellow, light blue, and dark blue, and other prototypes with different color combinations having approximately the following dimensions:

-   -   a) Overall spherical puzzle—approximately 3″ diameter     -   b) 12 Pentagonal plastic pieces—approximately 0.8″×approximately         1.4″×approximately 1.4″ each     -   c) 20 Triangular plastic piece—approximately 0.75″×approximately         0.78″×approximately 0.72″ each     -   d) Spherical ferromagnetic metal center—approximately 1.5″         diameter     -   While a preferred embodiment is described and shown with each of         the puzzle pieces having bases with magnets and a central         spherical metal ball center, the invention an have a magnetic         center spherical ball with each of the puzzle pieces having         metal bases.         -   Similarly, while a preferred embodiment shows and describes             magnets and metal portions on the sides of the puzzle             pieces, the invention can include different arrangements and             locations of magnets and metal portions on the sides of the             puzzle pieces.

The Outer faces on the pieces can be smooth, roughened, flat, convex curved, convex to create different appearance. Other sizes of pieces and ferromagnetic center can be used as needed.

The term “approximately”/“approximate” can be +/−10% of the amount referenced. Additionally, preferred amounts and ranges can include the amounts and ranges referenced without the prefix of being approximately.

Although specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include some, none, or all of the enumerated advantages.

While a preferred embodiment describes and shows the puzzle pieces attached by magnets in order to allow for the mechanical rotations, the physical implementation of the icosidodecahedron puzzle can also be achieved with different mechanisms, such as but not limited to incorporating supporting tracks, sliders, gears and levers.

In addition to a physical form, the icosidodecahedron puzzle game can be implemented in a virtual form as a part of a computer, console, mobile, or internet-based video game.

The sets of patterns presented in FIGS. 8B-8I and 9B-9G is not the limit of possible end patterns a player may use as goals for solving the puzzle. Additional patterns are possible, or can be discovered in the future that will provide new goals and challenges for puzzle players.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

To aid the Patent Office and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended. 

1. A mechanically moveable puzzle game for organizing different disordered faces of puzzle pieces that form an icosidodecahedron into one of several predetermined patterns, comprising: a central metal ball; a plurality of puzzle pieces consisting of twelve separate pentagon face puzzle pieces with contiguous convex curved outer face surfaces, each having a lower facing magnet, and twenty separate triangular face puzzle pieces with contiguous convex curved outer face surfaces, each having a lower facing magnet, wherein the lower facing magnets of the twelve separate puzzle pieces and the lower facing magnets of the twenty separate puzzle pieces mechanically all magnetically attach to and are rotatable about the central metal ball, and all together form a spherical projection of an icosidodecahedron having an assembled sphere shape of disorganized puzzle pieces; and a plurality of game plays to form a predetermined organized pattern from the disorganized puzzle pieces in the sphere shape is accomplished, each game play limited to solely rotating and counter rotating selected complete hemispheres of the sphere shape, each of the selected complete hemispheres formed from different combinations of the twelve pentagon face puzzle pieces and the twenty separate triangular face puzzle pieces.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. The puzzle game of claim 1, wherein the 12 pentagon face puzzle pieces and the 20 triangular face puzzle pieces include a two-color setup.
 5. The puzzle game of claim 4, wherein the two-color setup includes: a first color of 6 pentagon face pieces and 10 triangular face pieces; and a second color of 6 pentagon face pieces and 10 triangular face pieces.
 6. The puzzle game of claim 1, wherein the 12 pentagon face puzzle pieces and the 20 triangular face puzzle pieces include a four-color setup.
 7. The puzzle game of claim 6, wherein the four-color setup includes: a first color of 5 pentagon face pieces and 5 triangular face pieces; a second color of 5 pentagon face pieces and 5 triangular face pieces; a third color of 1 pentagon face piece and 5 triangular face pieces; a fourth color of 1 pentagon face piece and 5 triangular face pieces.
 8. (canceled)
 9. The puzzle game of claim 1, wherein the predetermined configuration of the pentagon face and the triangle face make the assembled sphere shape between approximately 2 inches to approximately 3.5 inches in diameter.
 10. A method for mechanically organizing different disordered faces of separate puzzle pieces to form an icosidodecahedron into one of a plurality of predetermined patterns, comprising the steps of: providing a central metal ball; providing a first plurality of puzzle pieces consisting of twelve separate pentagon face puzzle pieces from two colors, each having contiguous convex curved outer face surfaces, each having a lower facing magnet; providing a second plurality of puzzle pieces consisting of twenty separate triangular face puzzle pieces from the two colors, each having contiguous convex curved outer face surfaces, each having a lower facing magnet; magnetically attaching the lower facing magnets of the first plurality of puzzle pieces and the lower facing magnets of the second plurality of puzzle pieces to the central metal ball to form a spherical projection of an icosidodecahedron having an assembled sphere shape with a disorganized pattern of disorganized puzzle pieces; mechanically rotating and counter-rotating different selected complete hemispheres from the assembled sphere of the disorganized puzzle pieces; and repeating sequences of mechanically rotating and counter-rotating the different the selected complete hemispheres until an organized pattern visible on the assembled sphere is achieved.
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the 12 pentagon face puzzle pieces and the 20 triangular face puzzle pieces include a two-color setup.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the two-color setup includes: a first color of 6 pentagon face pieces and 10 triangular face pieces; and a second color of 6 pentagon face pieces and 10 triangular face pieces.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the 12 pentagon face puzzle pieces and the 20 triangular face puzzle pieces include a four-color setup.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the four-color setup includes: a first color of 5 pentagon face pieces and 5 triangular face pieces; a second color of 5 pentagon face pieces and 5 triangular face pieces; a third color of 1 pentagon face piece and 5 triangular face pieces; a fourth color of 1 pentagon face piece and 5 triangular face pieces. 17-20. (canceled)
 21. A mechanically moveable puzzle system for organizing different disordered faces of puzzle pieces that form an icosidodecahedron into one of several predetermined patterns, consisting of: a central metal ball; twelve separate pentagon face puzzle tiles, each having a contiguous convex outer curved surface forming a pentagon, each having a lower facing magnet magnetically attached to and rotatable about the central metal ball, each outer curved surface of each outer surface of each pentagon face puzzle tile being one uniform color; twenty separate triangular face puzzle tiles, each having a contiguous convex outer curved surface forming a triangle, each triangular tile having a lower facing magnet magnetically attached to and rotatable about the central metal ball, each outer curved surface of each triangle tile having one uniform color, wherein the twelve separate pentagon face puzzle tiles and the separate triangular face puzzle tiles mechanically attach to the central metal ball form an assembled sphere shape having a disorganized pattern of the twelve separate pentagon face puzzle tiles and the separate triangular face puzzle tiles; a plurality of game plays to form an organized pattern in the sphere shape from the disorganized pattern, each game play consisting of solely rotating and counter-rotating complete hemispheres from the sphere shape of the twelve separate pentagon face puzzle tiles and the separate triangular face puzzle tiles, each of the complete hemispheres formed from different combinations of the twelve pentagon face puzzle tiles and the twenty separate triangular face puzzle tiles.
 22. The puzzle game of claim 1, further comprising: side grooves and side protrusions on the pentagon face puzzle pieces and the triangular face puzzle pieces for interlocking and aligning the pentagon face puzzle pieces and the triangular face puzzle pieces together, and preventing the pentagon face puzzle pieces and the triangular face puzzle pieces from being dislodged.
 23. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of: providing side grooves and side protrusions on the pentagon face puzzle pieces and the triangular face puzzle pieces for interlocking and aligning the pentagon face puzzle pieces and the triangular face puzzle pieces together, and preventing the pentagon face puzzle pieces and the triangular face puzzle pieces from being dislodged
 24. A mechanically moveable puzzle game for organizing different disordered faces of puzzle pieces that form an icosidodecahedron into one of several predetermined patterns, comprising: a central metal ball; twelve separate pentagon face puzzle pieces with contiguous convex curved outer face surfaces, each having a lower facing magnet, each curved outer face surface of each pentagon face puzzle piece being one uniform color; twenty separate triangular face puzzle pieces with contiguous convex curved outer face surfaces, each having a lower facing magnet, each curved outer face surface of each triangular face puzzle piece being one uniform color; side grooves and side protrusions on the pentagon face puzzle pieces and the triangular face puzzle pieces for interlocking and aligning the pentagon face puzzle pieces and the triangular face puzzle pieces together, and preventing the the pentagon face puzzle pieces and the triangular face puzzle pieces from being dislodged, wherein the lower facing magnets of the twelve separate puzzle pieces and the lower facing magnets of the twenty separate puzzle pieces magnetically attach to and are rotatable about the central metal ball, and all together form an assembled sphere shape of disorganized puzzle pieces; and a plurality of game plays to form a selected predetermined pattern, each game play limited to rotating and counter rotating selected complete hemispheres of the sphere shape, each of the selected complete hemispheres formed from different combinations of the twelve pentagon face puzzle pieces and the twenty separate triangular face puzzle pieces. 